Apple Cider Vinegar and Type 1 Diabetes

Previous studies have shown that apple cider vinegar can improve insulin sensitivity in healthy or insulin-resistant individuals. A study, published in Diabetes Care, was conducted with a goal to investigate apple cider vinegar’s effect on type 1 diabetes.

Ten men with type 1 diabetes in their early-to-mid 30s were included. These men had around a 24 BMI and had type 1 diabetes for around 14 years. They were treated with rapid-acting insulin before meals and long-acting insulin once a day. These men were studied after an overnight fast.

For the study, the men were instructed to not inject themselves with their long-lasting insulin for 2 days and their rapid-acting insulin for 8 hours. The men were not to consume vinegar for the last two weeks.

For consistent metabolic conditions among all participants, in insulin was given in the hand vein with a pump. The participants were in a steady state regarding blood glucose and insulin infusion rate, during the hour prior to the experiment. Infusion of insulin was then stopped and participants were hooked up to an artificial pancreas where they received CBG monitoring.

Subjects were told to consume vinegar or placebo at random five minutes before a meal consisting of bread, cheese, turkey ham, orange juice, butter, and a cereal bar – 566kcal, 75g of carbs 26g of protein, 6g of fat.

Subjects were given a dose of Actrapid under the skin and was assessed based on each patient’s insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio.

After preprandial blood sample were collected, at 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after meal to measure insulin, it was found that two tablespoons of vinegar could be used to reduce hyperglycemia.